Shades Restaurant Review

: Shades is a modern hotel restaurant with a cozy main dining room and an umbrella-filled outdoor patio with striking ocean views. Chef Ben LaFleche sources the majority of his ingredients locally at farmers markets, and he has his own herb garden on property. Start with appetizers of steamed black mussels with white wine and chorizo or the Kobe meatballs with smoked mozzarella. Cheese, charcuterie and pâté plates are a fine choice, too, especially with a glass of wine recommended by the always-on-hand sommelier. Mediterranean-influenced tapas include winners like goat cheese-stuffed piquillo peppers or duck confit fries with queso fresco and salsa verde. For mains, try the barbecue-rubbed salmon, pan-seared barramundi, Prime hanger steak or one of the robust nightly signature dishes, such as oven-roasted prime rib or a short rib pot roast. Available upon request, the dessert menu has a number of solid options, led by the baked hot chocolate and churros combo. The wine list has some good selections of mostly California, French and South African varietals. On Sundays, Shades has one of the best brunches in OC.